Long Beach, Calif. – The California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office (CCCCO) is expanding its partnership with the Institute for Evidence-Based Change (IEBC), implementing Caring Campus in California with $977,980.
The new funding will support the addition of 30 new community colleges to the program continuing an expansion that will empower almost two-thirds of all California community colleges to be ‘Caring Campuses over the next two years. The objective of IEBC’s Caring Campus program is to increase student retention and success in community colleges by creating and cultivating caring environments through the intentional inclusion of all staff in student success efforts.
Under the CCCCO-IEBC partnership, colleges selected agree to participate in Caring Campus, a coaching-based approach ensuring all staff play a role in supporting every student’s academic success. The first group of 18 colleges was selected and began work in 2018. The second group of 18 colleges began in 2020 and others have joined the effort since then with 42 California colleges now involved.
“We’re grateful to Chancellor Eloy Ortiz Oakley and his office for their recognition of the results we’ve seen due to the Caring Campus approach,” said IEBC President/CEO Brad Phillips, “This additional investment, which allows IEBC to involve more community colleges, will benefit tens of thousands of students now and for many years to come.”
“Staff enjoy this work and have embraced the Caring Campus approach,” said Phillips. “With Caring Campus, staff see a clear connection to how they can better support student success efforts. What happens: Staff satisfaction also improves because they are making connections with students and their colleagues, connections that would have otherwise not been made.”
Caring Campus implementation covers a semester of intensive work with IEBC coaches who meet with staff teams, returning approximately every three weeks. “Caring Campus is designed to leverage and enhance a college’s existing student success and Guided Pathways efforts, with little to no cost to the institution to implement these interventions,” explained Dr. Phillips. “Connecting with a student doesn’t cost anything. Asking a student his or her name doesn’t cost anything. You don’t have to buy software or build a building. But it is an intensive process, which takes commitment that is facilitated by our coaches and supported by college leadership.
“We are pleased to expand our partnership with IEBC’s Caring Campus program, integrating classified professional colleagues into student success strategies at 30 additional California Community Colleges,” said California Community Colleges Executive Vice Chancellor of Educational Services and Support Marty Alvarado. “Investing in this targeted support for our classified colleagues benefits all students and continues to be an important strategy for advancing the Vision for Success and Guided Pathways.”
Research has documented students leaving college because they do not feel connected to the institution. Caring Campus recognizes and leverages the value of connectedness for increasing the likelihood that students will continue towards, and succeed in attaining, their educational goals.
Staff interaction with students can set the stage for successful enrollment, persistence, and completion. It is particularly important for students from historically underserved populations, students less familiar with college, non-majority students, students from low-income households, and first-generation students to feel welcome and that they belong in college.
About the Institute for Evidence-Based Change (IEBC)
The Institute for Evidence-Based Change is a nationally recognized nonprofit organization dedicated to helping education stakeholders – community colleges, universities, K-12 school systems employers, and others – use evidence-based data, collaboration, and coaching to make informed decisions and craft solutions that improve practice and dramatically increase student success through our innovative approach. Learn more about IEBC at www.iebcnow.org
About the California Community Colleges (CCCCO)
The California Community Colleges is the largest system of higher education in the nation, composed of 73 districts and 116 colleges serving 2.1 million students per year. California community colleges provide career education and workforce training; guaranteed transfer to four-year universities; degree and certificate pathways; and basic skills education in English and math. As the state’s engine for social and economic mobility, the California Community Colleges supports the Vision for Success, a strategic plan designed to improve student success outcomes, increase transfer rates and eliminate achievement gaps. For more information, please visit the California Community Colleges website.